Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad

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The 1905 Salad is a Florida classic that hits close to home for me—literally. I’ve lived in this area my whole life, and the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa has always been part of our local history. This salad, with its crisp lettuce, savory ham, Swiss cheese, and Spanish olives tossed in that zesty homemade dressing, is a dish that’s been loved for generations. Whether you’ve been to the Columbia or are just discovering this recipe, I’m so happy to share it with you—it’s a little taste of history that’s sure to become a favorite at your table, too.

History Behind the 1905 Salad

The 1905 Salad has a rich history rooted in the iconic Columbia Restaurant, which opened its doors in 1905 in the heart of Ybor City, Tampa. As Florida’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, the Columbia is a treasure that has served generations of families—including mine—with its unforgettable food, atmosphere, and charm.

Interestingly, the 1905 Salad wasn’t part of the original menu. It was created in the 1940s by Tony Noriega, a waiter at the Columbia. The story goes that Tony pulled together what he had on hand in the kitchen. That combination turned out to be a hit!

The salad earned its name as a nod to the year the Columbia Restaurant first opened. Over time, it became more than just a dish—it became an experience. With tableside preparation and a splash of that vibrant dressing, the 1905 Salad solidified its place as a beloved part of Florida’s culinary history.

From the 1905 Salad Creator’s Family to My Table

After sharing this recipe, I received the most touching message from Tony Noriega’s son, who told me how much he enjoyed my post. He shared that his father, Tony Noriega Sr., was the one who created the 1905 Salad all those years ago at the Columbia Restaurant. His kind words about my description of the salad and my love for its flavors meant so much, but what truly moved me was this: his sister, now passed, was named Nikki—such a sweet and unexpected connection to my own story.

This experience was a beautiful reminder of why I love sharing recipes. Food isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s about the memories, the people, and the stories that bring us together. What started as a simple creation in a bustling kitchen has become a dish that ties generations together. Today, the 1905 Salad lives on as a treasured recipe, continuing to bring joy, connection, and a little piece of history to tables everywhere.

Colombia 1905 Salad Recipe Ingredients

• Olive Oil: Use a good quality olive oil since it’s the star of the dressing.
• White Wine Vinegar: This adds a bright tang—adjust to your taste preference.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor—don’t skimp here.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is key for brightness and zing.
• Worcestershire Sauce: It adds depth and a savory kick to the dressing.
• Iceberg Lettuce: Perfect for its crisp texture and fresh crunch.
• Ham & Swiss Cheese: Go for thick-cut deli ham and freshly sliced Swiss cheese to make this salad hearty and satisfying.
• Spanish Olives: These little gems add a salty, briny pop of flavor.
• Romano Cheese: A sprinkle of Romano takes the salad up a notch with its salty sharpness.

How to Make Colombia 1905 Salad

TIP: Prepare the dressing the night before serving so that the flavors come together and intensify.

At the Columbia, they prepare this table side, and it is so fresh and delicious. It tastes just as amazing at home. 

Step 1.   Make the 1905 Salad Dressing

In a mason jar or small bowl, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce.

Shake it all up (or whisk it well) until everything is combined. If you have time, make the dressing the day before—trust me, the flavors get even better with a little rest.

*One minor thing I do differently is add the Worcestershire and lemon to the dressing. They add it onto the salad before serving.

Step 2.   Prepare the Salad

Tear iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces or cut the lettuce with a ceramic knife (I love this Kyocera one – it won’t brown the lettuce and cuts everything like a dream) and add it to a large serving bowl. Top with julienned ham, swiss cheese, olives, and cut tomatoes.

Step 2.   Serve

Right before serving, sprinkle the salad with Romano cheese and drizzle in just enough dressing to coat the lettuce lightly. Toss it well so every bite is packed with flavor.

I often leave the dressing on the side and allow everyone to put the amount of dressing they like on it. This also allows any leftovers to be saved and eaten the next day. (if there is any left 😉) 

More Delicious Dinner Ideas

• Slow Cooker Cuban Mojo Pork
• Cuban Sandwich
• Spanish Bean Soup
• Chantilly Cake

Recipe

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Columbia Restaurant’s 1905 Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Author: Nikki Lee

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Columbia’s 1905 Salad – crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne baked ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and tossed with a garlic vinaigrette dressing.

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Ingredients 

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1905 Dressing

• ▢ ½ cup olive oil
• ▢ ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• ▢ 2 tsp oregano, dried
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1 lemon, juiced
• ▢ 1 ½ to 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1905 Salad

• ▢ 1 head iceberg lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
• ▢ 1 ripe tomatoes, cut into eighths
• ▢ 1 cup Swiss cheese, julienned
• ▢ 1 cup ham, julienned
• ▢ 8 ounces spanish olives with pimentos
• ▢ ¼ cup Romano cheese

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Instructions

1905 Salad Dressing

• To a salad dressing bottle or mason jar, add olive oil, white wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Shake or whisk until well combined. See Notes for Dressing Tips*
  1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 2 tsp oregano, 4 cloves garlic, 1 lemon, 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1905 Salad

• Combine lettuce, tomato, ham, Swiss cheese and olives in a large salad bowl.
  1 head iceberg lettuce, 1 ripe tomatoes, 1 cup Swiss cheese, 1 cup ham, 8 ounces spanish olives with pimentos
• Before serving, add Romano cheese and dressing. Toss well and serve immediately. (You may also leave dressing on the side to serve individually if desired)
  1/4 cup Romano cheese

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Notes

Dressing Notes & Serving Tips:

• Make the dressing the day before serving for the best flavor.
• Columbia Restaurant also makes this dressing table side and squeezes in the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce on the salad. I like to put it in the dressing ahead of time. 
• Columbia uses less white wine vinegar, about 1/8 cup in their recipe – my family loves a little more, so I double it.
• I often double the dressing to have extra. The dressing is also a great dip for bread.
• The dressing can be served on the side so everyone can add it to their liking. This also helps if you have leftover salad; once dressed, it will not hold up overnight without becoming soggy.

If you want to toss the salad with the dressing to serve, add the Romano cheese and the desired amount of dressing just before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving Calories: 266kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 7g (2%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 23g (35%) Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g Cholesterol: 27mg (9%) Sodium: 486mg (21%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 3g (3%)

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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adapted from Columbia Restaurant